Page 14 of If You Love Me

That was until I was able to make out what kind of car it was… the police. My heart began to race as I stepped into the middle of the road, waving my arms like a mad woman.

“Stop! Stop, please!”

The car slowed and pulled off to the side of the road. The officer that got out was a tall, brown-skinned woman with locs down her back. She rushed onto the road and ushered me over to the grass.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Please… you have to help me.”

I knew I must have looked crazy with all the snot-nosed crying I was doing. I could barely get the words out. The happiness of seeing an officer and knowing I was finally safe was overwhelming. I collapsed to my knees, crying profusely.

“Honey, I need you to calm down and tell me what’s wrong,” the officer said, reaching for me.

I allowed her to help me up from the ground. She led me to the front passenger side and opened the door before guiding me in. She then opened that back door, returning with a bottle of water. Uncapping it, she handed it to me, and I took a long sip.

“My name is Officer Hilbert. What’s your name, love?”

“Evenie. Evenie Lewis.”

“Nice to meet you, Evenie. Can you tell me where you’re coming from?”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out Leon’s wallet, retrieving his license.

“This man kidnapped me. He thought I was his wife, a woman named Lisa. I’ve been held captive in his basement for ten years.”

I handed her the license, and her eyes immediately widened.

“Shit.”

“You know him?”

She nodded. “Leon Kane. His wife left him because of his mental health issues. She died trying to get away from him. Plowed right into an eighteen-wheeler. The car exploded, and he saw the whole thing. He hasn’t really been right in the head ever since.” She looked at me curiously. “You do look like her.”

“I know.”

“Where is he now? How did you get away?”

“He opened the door to bring me food and he just… collapsed. I don’t know if he’s dead or alive. I just ran. I took his wallet and keys and drove until I ran out of gas. I’ve been walking for a little while now.”

She nodded. Reaching over me, she grabbed the radio.

“Dispatch, this is unit 572.”

“Go ahead, 572.”

“I need officers and rescue at 1071 Oak Trail Road immediately. I have a witness here who says she was kidnapped and held captive at that location. Suspect may be unresponsive.”

“Got it. Rerouting officers and emergency personnel.”

“Copy that. I’m bringing the witness in.”

“Copy.”

She hung the radio up. “Let’s get you some place safe.”

“I just wanna go home.”

“I know. We’re gonna do everything we can to make sure you get there.”

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